About the Lecture Series

The General Raymond E. Mason, Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series on World War II is devoted to the legacy of America’s largest war. Speakers include writers, scholars, distinguished members of the Armed Forces and journalists.
 
The lecture series is open to the public at no cost through the generosity of Major General and Mrs. Raymond E. Mason, Jr. and the Raymond E. Mason Foundation. Mason served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II in the 4th Armored Division of General George S. Patton’s Third Army. Prior to retiring from the military in 1976, he held several high-ranking Pentagon positions, including Assistant Deputy Chief for Operations and Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Logistics.

All Mason lectures are free and open to the public.

Upcoming Speakers

Sold Out. Tickets are no longer available for this event.

Friday, December 5, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Tom Brokaw
 
Former NBC Nightly News anchor and author of five bestselling books, including The Greatest Generation and Boom!
 
 
Registrants will need tickets the night of the event to ensure a smooth registration process. Upon completion of the online registration process, the museum will contact you to arrange retrieval of tickets.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm*
Alex Kershaw
"Liberators: Three Americans who helped free Europe from Nazism"

Historian and best-selling author of "The Bedford Boys", "The Longest Winter", and "The Few", will follow three Americans and their paths through Europe during World War II.

Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm*
Senator Daniel Inouye

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm*
Carlo D’Este
"Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War 1874–1945"

World renowned historian and bestselling author of Decision in Normandy, Patton: A Genius for War and Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life will discuss his most recent book, Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War 1874–1945.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 6:00 pm*
Rick Atkinson 

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of best sellers "An Army at Dawn" and "The Day of Battle".

*Time is subject to change. Please check website before attending.

Past Speakers

Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm
General John W. “Jack” Vessey
 
"WWII in the Rear View Mirror of One Veteran"

In May 1939, at the age of 16, General Vessey enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard where he later served with the 34th Infantry Division and saw the early setbacks suffered by the U.S. forces in North Africa. Vessey also saw combat in Italy, including Anzio, where he received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant.  After World War II, he continued his service, being assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in Germany and then the Eighth U.S. Army in Korea. Vessey received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award for heroism, for actions in Vietnam.  He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1971.
 
These experiences left him with a life-long commitment to military preparedness through training, equipment and inter-service cooperation. In June 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed General Vessey Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the last World War II veteran to hold that post.  He retired in September 1985 after 46 years of military service.
 
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush awarded General Vessey the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, for his efforts as an emissary to Vietnam to account for U.S. servicemen listed as MIA.